# Quick Start: Playing Missions

Ready to jump into action? Follow these steps to select and play missions in Miltech Mission Hub.

## Playing Missions

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Start a flight with the desired aircraft

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2FTWVKkTJrKX1qvpd53pgv%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1e527cfe-7fb7-475c-96d4-64f2ade5bfce" alt="Open the World Map from the sim home screen" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Begin in Freeflight:**\
All missions launch from a standard freeflight session.

**Choose Your Aircraft and Location:**\
Select your desired aircraft. If you want to start the mission from a particular spot, spawn there now.

{% hint style="info" %}
*Tip: Spawning over the ocean gives the quickest loading time.*
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open the Miltech Mission Hub

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2FMJk81hxOsZga04LxFzLg%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=52b502a7-7180-4799-893e-63af531f00c6" alt="On the toolbar, click the Miltech Mission Hub button" width="247"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Open the **Miltech Mission Hub** from your toolbar in the simulator.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Browse and Select Missions

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2Fb4QqguiECkWhC0fnaJiI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=efa5495b-5639-4d54-b2b3-167a392bf561" alt="The left side of the Mission Hub home screen has a button to open the &#x27;my missions&#x27; screen, and below that it displays available mission packs" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**My Mission**\
Click the **My Missions** button to view your own missions and any you've imported.

**Mission Packs**\
Click a mission pack to see the missions it contains.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select a mission and view the briefing

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2FJxXH5FDtb0ySDTD2HEIp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7e425616-3db5-43cc-865b-b44a38e9cf86" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

* Click on the mission you want to play.&#x20;
* On the right side of the screen, you can read the mission details and briefing.&#x20;
* Click the **Play Mission** button to start the mission.

{% hint style="danger" %}
MSFS2024: When the mission is loading, don't go back or cancel the loading. That will break the loading process, requiring a sim restart.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Get Ready to fly

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2FKYjPn9HmSM6uqlEZzmd9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a14e1210-9c02-498d-be33-217375d2eb7c" alt="" width="229"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Once the mission loads, click **Ready to Fly** to begin.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Using the mission HUD

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3284314497-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEwJpcf1IkEF6flfrOBX%2Fuploads%2FksUh4MwnlWR3hxSsbwg2%2FHUD%20explanation.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=9ace0f19-2d42-4c7b-96eb-a5dbc9fa0337" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

During your mission, you’ll see a HUD on the top-right of your screen:

* **Active Objectives & Timers:**\
  Track your current goals and remaining time.
* **Mission Status:**\
  The HUD will notify you when you complete or fail the mission.

**HUD Controls:**

1. **Visibility Button:**\
   Hide or show the HUD as needed. To show it again, hover over the HUD area and click the button.
2. **Briefing Button:**\
   Review the mission briefing and details at any time.
3. **Map Button:**\
   Open the in-game map to view your planned route.

{% hint style="info" %}
In MSFS 2024, the map button opens the EFB tablet. Click the 🧭 **Flight Planner** button to access the map.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Next Steps

You now know how to choose and play missions!

Want to learn more about the different mission activities you can experience? See the [mission-hub-activities](https://docs.miltechsimulations.com/miltech-mission-hub/detailed-documentation/mission-hub-activities "mention") for more details.